Traffic signal



May 5, 1925. 1,536,922

v J. c. PENNELL TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed July 28, 192], 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 l2 m @52 223.1 5y:

.SLOW 5 LOW 9 7 2 6 W 2M @W A TTORNEY May 5, 1925. 1,536,922

. J. c. PENNELL TRAFFIC SIGNAL Filed July 28, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VENTOR A TTOR'NE Y May 5, 1925.

J. C. PENNELL TRAFFIC SIGNAL 3 Sheets-Shut 3 INVENTOR BYy/ggw July 28; 1921 ATTORNEY Patented May 5, 1925.

JOHN C. PENNELL, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

TRAFFIC SIGNAL.

Application filed July 28, 1921.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I. JOHN C. PENNELL, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of Fort \Vayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Traffic Signals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in traffic signals especially for regulating the traffic at the intersections of streets, and the object thereof is the provision of automatically operated apparatus for periodically displaying and changing signals for regulating the movement of traffic so as to preventconfusion of those portions of the traffic that move in diverse directions at street intersections.

Another object of theinvention is to provide in connection with changeable signals, a' supplemental signaling apparatus operable in advance of the signal proper as a prewarning or notice to approaching traffic of impending operation of the signal proper.

A further object of the invention is to provide means by which the signaling appa 1 ratus is automatically held in neutral posl- Cit tion during predetermined periods when operation ofthe device is not required because of temporary discontinuance of the traffic.

These objects of the invention are accomplished by the construction illustrated in the.

accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of the signaling apparatus;

F'g. is an elevation of the signaling apparatus viewed from a point at right angles to that of Fig. 1, a portion of the apparatus being shown in vertical section;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the base of the signal apparatus with the actuating means contained therein, parts being shown in section:

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatical view of the controlling apparatus and the electrical connections thereof with the signaling apparatus.

Fig. is a fragmentary elevation of the oscillating posts; Fig. 6 is a similar view of the same in a plane at right angles thereto: Fig. 7 is a plan view of the arm and lever for actuating the posts; Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the actuating lever and its piv oted lug.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the various Serial No. 488,148.

views and having reference now to the same The signaling apparatus proper has a hol low base 1 provided with a conical cover 2, and in the center of the base is a step 3 in which is vertically positioned an oscillating tubular post 4 that projects centrally through the cover 2 and has mounted upon its upper part two horizontally disposed pairs of major signal arms and 6, the arms 5 being located above and at right angles to the arms 6. The arms have fixed relation with the post so that as the post is turned the arms are moved accordingly. Upon the post 4, is loosely keyed (4) a secondary tubularpost? adapted tohavevertical sliding movement thereon and also to oscillate therewith, and upon the secondary post are fixed a pair of minor signal arms 8 and 9 arranged respectively at right angles to each other and adapted to be positioned so as to be concealed between the corresponding pairs of major arms 5 and 6 when the secondary post is in elevated position, a d to be exposed to view beneath thepai of arms when said secondary postvis in its lowermost position. The post 7 has fixed thereon a collar 10, and a spring 11 is interposed between the collar and the cover 2 tending to sustain the post 7 in its uppermost position so that the minor signal arms v8 and 9 are normally held concealed from view between the major arms.

The major arms 5 and 6 bear legends of different significance. For example: Upon themajor arms 5 appears the word Stop while upon the arms 6 appears the word Go, the significance of which in street traffic regulating methods is now well un' derstood. Upon the minor signal arm 8, that is associated with the major arms 5, appear the words Get ready which legend is intended as a notice to waiting traffic of an impending signal movement; and upon the minor arm 9 which is associated withthe major arms 6 appears the word Slow which legend is intended as a warning to approaching traffic of an impending signal movement.

Upon the top of the oscillating post 4 is mounted a pair of signal lamps 12 and 13,

the lamp 12 having oppositely positioned lenses 12 preferably colored red, which are displayed to view together with the signal arms 5; and also oppositely positioned lenses 12" preferably colored green, which are displayed to view together with the signal arms 6. The lamp 13 has also a lens 13' on each of its four sides, and these lenses are preferably clear, but may be colored as desired.

Secured rigidly to the post 4 near the lower end thereof is a horizontally disposed arm 14 the outer end of which is coupled with an oscillating lever 15 by a tension spring 16, the lever being mounted upon a pivot 17 in the base and having an are shaped opening 15 through which the oscillating posts project and limit the horizontal swinging movement of the lever. \Vhen the lever 15 is moved from one extreme position to the other the arm 14 likewise is drawn through the medium of the spring 16 to its opposite position causing the post 4 to turn upon its axis accordingly, and because of the tension of the spring 16 the arm 14 tends to remain in the position to which it is thus drawn. In this manner the signal arms are moved from one vertical plane to another vertical plane at right angles thereto and returned.

Upon the lower part of the tubular post '7 are fixed two semicircular horizontally disposed segmental plates 18 and 19 respectively, the plates being vertically spaced apart, and pivoted within the base are levers 20 and 21 arranged respectively to have operative engagement with the corresponding plates so that downward movement is imparted to the post 7 when the levers thus engaged are actuated. In connection with the lever 20 is a spring pressed plunger 22 that has operative relation with an electrical solenoid 23, and the lever 21 also has in connection therewith a spring pressed plunger 24 that has operative relation with another solenoid 25 so that when the solenoids are excited the corresponding levers are drawn downwardly and the tubular post 7 accordingly moved to its lower position together with the minor signal arms attached thereto, thus exposing the signal arms to view.

The lever 15 has a pivoted lug 26 through which a shaft 27 loosely extends, and upon each end of the shaft is fixed a plunger 28 and 29 respectively that has operative relation with a corresponding solenoid 30-31, and there being a compression spring 32 interposed between each plunger and the pivoted lug" 26. The arrangement of the shaft 27, and the plungers relative to the solenoids is such that when one of the plungers is drawn into its solenoid the other plunger will be Withdrawn from the oppo site solenoid, and vice versa, as the solenoids are alternately energized. Thus, the lever 15 through the medium of the springs 32 is caused to oscillate and the turning movement of the post 4 efiected.

In the base 1 is shown positioned another pair of solenoids 33 each having in operative connection therewith a spring pressed plunger 34, the outer end of which is made in the form of a latch 35, these latches being oppositely disposed and adapted to engage and hold the arm 14 when the arm is moved to a point midway between its extreme positions. When the solenoids 33 are energized the latches are thereby withcapable of supplying current to the various solenoids periodically and in the order required for the proper functioning of the signalling apparatus. The diagram shown in Fig. 4 illustrates as an example the electrical connections for the lamps and the solenoids and the character of the apparatus for controlling the current through the connections.

The bulbs 37 and 38 respectively for the lamps 12 and 13, and the bulbs 39 for the base are supplied with current through the conductors A, B and C which are intended for connection with a suitable source of electrical current, such as an alternating current lighting circuit. The bulbs 37 and 38 receive current through their connections with the conductors A and B, while the bulbs 39 receive current throu 11 their connections with the conductors and C. In

the connection 40 for the bulb 38 is arranged '1" a breaker 41 which is adapted to be moved to closed position by a projection 42 on the post 7 when the post is moved to its lowermost position. In this manner the bulb in the lamp 13 is flashed on during the time the post 7 is lowered and the minor signal arms are exposed to view and is flashed out when the post is raised and the minor signal arms are concealed.

Electrical current for energizing the solenoids is supplied through main leads D and E which are intended to be connected with a suitable source of direct current.

For automatically controlling the current supplied to the solenoids a circuit controller F is employed and which consists of a cam 43 rotated by a clock mechanism (not shown) in the usual manner, there being a pawl 44 bearing upon the face of the cam adapted to sustain a pair of breakers 45 and til sustaining connection of the breaker until 7, the shoulder 47 passes the pawl. The breaker 45 is connected by the lead D with the frame of the clockwork motor as indicated at 48 on the base 49 of a second circuit controller G. The breaker 46 is connected in the line 50 which has connection with the circuit controller G and one terminal of each solenoid 33. The line 51 has connection with the opposite terminal of each solenoid 33 and with the other lead E of the direct current source. It is the intention that the cam 43 will be so timed in its rotation that the breakers 46 and 45 will be open, the former in advance of the latter, during the periods of time when traffic has ceased and operation of the signal is not required. The cam 43may be formed so that the pawl will be released and the breakers opened at such periods of time as desired. For instance, the cam 43 may be arranged to have one complete revolution in twenty four hours. i

The circuit controller G has a cam 52 rotated by clock mechanism. (not shown) in the customary manner. The-cam has numcrous facets 53 equally spaced apart and is arranged, for example. to have two and one half revolutions per hour. The circuit controller G has two similar contacting devices H and J the former being positioned on the base 49 and the latter being mounted upon an adiustable support 54.

The contacting device H has a pawl 55 pivotally mounted on the base 49 and is adapted to be actuated successively by the facets 53 as the cam 52 is revolved, the pawl having a flexible contact bar 56 which is adapted to form contacts respectively with the contact-points 57 and 58 when the pawl is raised by each one of the facets, the contact formed with the point 57 being in advance of that with the point 58 as the pawl is progressed outwardly. The contact point 57 is connected by the line 59 with one terminal of the solenoid 25, the other terminal of the solenoid 25 is connected by the line 60 with the main lead E. Also. the contact point 57 has a connection 61 with the line 5) leading through the breaker 46 to the solehaving a contact bar 65 which is adapted to form contacts respectively with the contact points 66 and 67 when the pawl is raised by each one of the facets, the contact formed with the point 66 being in advance of that with the point 67 as the pawl is progressed outwardly. The contact bar is also pivotally mounted on the base 49. The contact .69 with the main lead E.

point 66 is connected by the 1ine68 with one terminal of the solenoid 23, the other terminal of which is connected by the line Also the contact point 66 has a connection 70 with the line 50 leading through the-breaker 46 to the solenoids 33. The contact point 67 is connected by the line 71 with one terminal of the solenoid 30, the other terminal of which is connected by the line 72 with the main lead E.

In utilizing the invention the signaling apparatus is installed at the intersection'ot streets so as to be easily viewed from each street with-the signal arms positioned at right angles to the corresponding streets. The circuit controllers and the clock mechanism by which they are operated may be located at a remote point and electrically connected up with the lamp bulbs and solenoids in the manner common in the art.

\Vhen the current is turned on through the lighting circuit leads A, B and C, the bulbs in the base 1 and in the lamp 12 burn constantly, and the bulb in the lamp 123 is flashed on when the post- 7 is in its lowermost position because of the action of the projection 42 on the breaker 41 through.

which current is supplied to the bulb. The breaker 41 is released as the post 7 returns to its uppermost position and the light in the lamp 13 is thus flashed out. As the minor signal arms 8 and 9 are actuated also by the post 7 so as to appear to view when the post is in lowermost position and to be concealed when in uppermost position, it will be understood that the light in the lam 13 and the signals Get ready and Slow on the minor signal arms will become concurrently disp ayed periodically as the post is moved down.

The downward movement of the post ,7

'occurs when the pawl 55'is raised by one of the facets 53 until contact is made between its bar 56 and thepoint 57 which closes the circuit 59 through the solenoid 25, causing the lever 21 to bear downwardly upon the segment plate 19 on the post. At the same period and by the same contact the circuit 61-50 through the solenoids 3333 isclosed which causes the latches 35 to be withdrawn clear of the path of the arm 14 on the post 4 so as not to interfere with its movement. When the pawl 55 is progressed farther outward. contact is madebetween its bar 56 and the point 58 which closes the circuit 62 through the solenoid 31, causing movement of the lever 15 and arm 14 to the position shown in Fig. 3, the major signal arms fixed on the post 4 being turned from one extreme position to their opposite positions accordingly. As the post 4 is. thus turned, the plate 19 is moved from engagement with the lever 21 and the post is elevated by the spring 11 to its normal position so that the minor signal arms are again concealed from view. lVhen the pawl is relieved by the engaging facet the contacts between its bar and the points 57 and 58 are broken and the corresponding electric circuits opened, whereupon the lever 21 is returned to its normal position by the spring-pressed plunger 24. i

The contacting member J is adjustably positioned by moving its support 54 so that its pawl 64 will be actuated at periods alternately wit-h the pawl of the member H. The action of the contacting member J is similar to that of the member H previously described, except that contact between the bar 65 and point 66 closes the circuit 70-50 through the solenoids 33-33 and also closes the circuit 68 through the solenoid 23. Thus, the latches are caused to move clear of the path of the arm 14. and the lever 20 is caused to bear downwardly upon the plate 18 on the post 7 moving it to its lower position so that the minor signal arms are again exposed to view. Also, when the pawl 64 is progressed farther outward, contact is made between its bar 65 and the point 67 which closes the circuit 71-72 through the solenoid 30 causing movement of'the lever 15 and arm 14 to their former position and the signal arms are turnedaccordingly.

By the sequence of operations above set forth periodical movements of the major signal arms are effected displaying the legends Go and Stop to view alternately at the intersection of streets, and superceded in each instance by movement of the minor signal arms displaying the legends Slow and Get ready. In this manner the traflic is made aware of the periods when its rights to proceed are in force and also is apprised of impending changes governing its rights.

As the cam 52 continues to rotate. the pawls 55 and 64 alternately operate and the major signal arms consequently are turned to' and fro, preceded in each instance by display of the minor signals arms. Also, the lamps are likewise turned, the light in the lamp 12 showing Red or Green accordingly as the arms are positioned, and the light in the lamp 13 showing periodi:

cally with the display of the pre-warning.

minor signal arms. However, when the pawl 44 of the circuit controller F drops onto the shoulder 47, the breaker 46 opens the circuit 50 through the solenoids 3333 rendering them inactive, so that the arm 14 in its next succeeding operation becomes en'- gaged by the latches 35 and locked thereby in a position midway between its opposite limitations of movement, so that the signal arms are held in planes diagonal to their normal positions and so manifesting neutrality as to the significance of the signal. When the. cam 43 progresses so that the breaker 45 opens the circuit through the main lead D rendering all of the solenoids and the signaling apparatus proper inactive. Upon further progress of the cam 43 the pawl 44 is raised to its sustaining position, so that the breakers 45 and 46 are again closed and normal operation of the signal apparatus is reestablished.

What I claim is 1. In signaling apparatus, a base; an oscillating post mounted in the base; a secondary post having oscillating movement with the other post and having vertical sliding movementthereon; two horizontally disposed pairs of major signal arms fixed upon the oscillating post arranged respectively at right angles to each other; a pair of minor signal arms fixed upon the secondary post and arranged at right angles to each other and being positioned so as to be concealed between the corresponding pairs of major arms when the secondary post is in its lowermost position; and means for periodically actuating said posts to expose the minor signal arms to view momentarily in advance of the turning movement of the major arms and to conceal the minor arms by the major arms when movement thereof is completed.

2. In signaling apparatus. major signal means mounted to have oscillating movement; minor signal means mounted to oscillate with the major means and having also independent movement in a different direction and being concealed by the major means or exposed to view when so moved; and means for periodically actuating both of said signal means whereby the minor means will be exposed to view momentarily in advance of the movement of the major zeans.

3. In signaling apparatus. a vertical post oscillatable upon its axis: a secondary post on the oscillating post having oscillating movement therewith and also vertical movement thereon; major signal arms fixed horizontally upon the oscillating post; minor signal arms fixed horizontally upon the secondary post concealed by the major arms or exposed to view accordingly as the secondary post is vertically moved: two lamps mounted to be oscillated with the signal arms, one of said lamps having lenses of different colors corresponding in significance and position with the major signal arms and thelegends thereon; means for periodically actuating both of said posts whereby the secondary post is momentarily moved vertically in advance of the oscillating movement of the other post: and means for momentarily turning on the other of said lamps simultaneously with the vertical movement of the secondary post.

. 4. In signaling apparatus, an oscillating pawl 44 drops ofi the shoulder 47, thepost having major signal arms fixed reon; a secondary post mounted on the oscilvertical movement thereon and havingfixed minor signal arms; a spring supporting.

means tending to hold the secondary post normally in its uppermost position, said secondary post having fixed thereon a pair of segmental plates spaced apart; means for actuating the oscillating post; a pair of levers having actuating engagement with the segmental plates respectively; and means for selectively actuating thelevers momentarily inadvance of the corresponding movementsof the oscillating post, said segmental plates being movable from engagement with said levers when the oscillating movement of the posts have been completed.

5. In signaling apparatus a major signal member movable from one signaling position to another; a minor signal member movable with the major member and having also additional movement in a different direction whereby it is concealed by the major member or exposed to view according toits movements in said dilferent direction;

and means for actuating both of said members simultaneously in one direction and actuating the minor member in said difl'erent direction momentarily in advance of the movement' of the major member.

' 6. In signaling apparatus, major signaling means including an, oscillating post; a minor signaling means including a secondary post having oscillating movement with the former post and alsohaving movement in a difierent direction thereto whereby the minor signaling means is displayed se arately from the major signal means w en moved in said different direction; and means for actuating each of said signal posts.

7. In signaling apparatus, an oscillating member having major signal arms fixed thereon; a. vertically movable member having minor signal arms fixed thereon con- ,cealed by the majorarms when the verticallymovable member is in one of its positions-and exposed to view when in its opposite position; and means for actuating the vertically movable member to expose the minor signal arms to view momentarily in advance ofthe movement of the major signal arms.

8. In signaling apparatus, an oscillating post'having signal arms fixed thereon; an actuating arm fixed. on the post; a pivoted oscillating lever including yielding means in connection .with the arm for imparting movement thereto when the oscillating lever is actuated; a pair of oppositely dis osed solenoids having actuating relation wit the oscillating lever; and means for periodically energizing'said solenoids alternately.

9.. In signaling apparatus, an oscillating post having signal arms fixed thereon and having an actuating arm; a pivoted oscillating lever having means in connection with the arm for imparting movement thereto when the oscillating lever is actuated; a pair of oppositely dis osed solenoids having actuating relation wit the lever; means for periodically energizing the solenoids alternately; electrically controlled latch means for engaging and holding the arm in neutral position when said latch means is electrically inactive and when energized permitting free movement of said arm; and

electrical means including connections with the latch means for energizing the same when either one or the other of the solenoids is energized, said electrical means including acircuit' breaker for cutting out the latch controlling means periodically.

10. In signaling apparatus, an oscillating post having signal arms fixed thereon; an oscillating means for actuating the post;

-means including o positely disposed solenoids for eriodica ly imparting movement to the osci lating means in correspondingly opposite directions; electrically controlled latchfor locking the post in the neutral position thereof when the latch is electrically inactive and to permit free movement of the post when energized, and electrical means having connections respectively with the solenoids and latch means for energizing the same periodically including a circuit breaker for cutting out the latch controlling controlling the connection for the latch controlling means; and automatic means for actuating said circuit breakers respectively in successive order so as to cut out the latch controlling means in advance of the cutting out of the solenoids.

In testimony whereof I afiixmy signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN G. PENNELL. Witnesses:

MA'rILDA Mn'rrnnn, WALTER G. BonNs. 

